System and device for golf swing practising and gaming

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a golf practising and gaming system, comprising a golf swing analysis device configured for analysing a golf swing and generating golf swing data comprising at least characteristics of said golf swing, an electronic key device for accessing said system on the basis of access data and credit amount data stored on the key device, and wherein the key is further configured for storing at least a part of the golf swing data.

Successfully playing golf requires a golf player to master a golf swing, a way of hitting a golf ball with a golf club from a tee towards a hole. Several characteristics are indicative for the quality of such golf swing. Obtaining golf skills requires practising this golf swing, which is normally done on a golf course, a golf environment generally formed on a spacious outside area. Since one does not always have a golf course at his disposal, an alternative to a real environment like a golf course may be desired. Virtual golf environments formed by golf practising systems form a common alternative. Besides being useful to practice a golf swing, virtual golf environments are fun to use.

Virtual environments for playing golf are known in the art. Such environments usually comprise a system with an analysing instrument for analysing characteristics of a golf swing and for outputting golf swing data. The measuring instrument comprises for example an array of sensors co-operating with a golf club for registering golf swing characteristics, and is usually coupled with a processing device for processing and representing the golf swing data, for example a personal computer. One of such systems is disclosed in international patent application WO 03/024552. Other systems are known, wherein the golf club itself comprises means for registering golf swing characteristics, for example a golf club with memory means, as described in US patent application 2004/0106460.

Golf swing data may be represented in a variety of ways, for example on a computer or like screen. It is thereby possible to simulate the effect of the golf swing on a golf ball in a golf course, and represent this effect in a virtual golf environment on a display. An entire golf game may be simulated, this way, wherein a player performs a plurality of golf swings, in order to move a virtual golf ball towards a virtual hole on a virtual golf course. A virtual representation contributes to the fun offered by using virtual golf environments, and it adds a gaming component.

Golf swing data may furthermore give important information to a user regarding the progression of his golf swing. Based on this data instructions may be given to further improve his swing, and the results may be compared to results of peers, for example because the processing and representing means are coupled to a network of processing and representing means for golf swing data.

This way, a competition environment may arise, such as described by Technoregalos (http://www.tecnoregalos.com/golf-virtual-p-708.html) or ProTee (http://protee-united.com/home/index.php?option=content&task=category&id=25).

Because it may be interesting for a golf player to be able to use golf swing practising environments at any time, to further practice his golf swing or to participate in a golf competition, it is desirable for the golf player to have his/her golf swing data available at different times and places.

Systems for registering golf score data while playing on a real golf course, and means for taking the golf score data along are known, but have in general a first disadvantage of being only capable to save only a small selection of data, typically score data, making a analysis of a golf swing difficult or even impossible, and a second disadvantage of making use of non-durable, impractical or incompatible carriers for the data, restricting their use to momentary use on a golf course.

An example of such system is a magnetic score card system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,312, which can be solely used for saving score data while playing on a real golf course.

It is therefore a goal of the present invention to provide a system which forms a virtual environment for practising a golf swing wherein a user may store data comprising characteristics of his golf swing, for using these data on like systems. It is another goal of the invention to provide durable storage means for golf swing data enabling a golf player to take his golf swing data along. It is yet another goal of the invention to provide a golf player with a method for easy access to golf practising environments. It is another goal of the invention to provide a golf player with an easy way to fulfil costs related to the use of environments to improve his golf swing capabilities. It is still another goal to provide an attractive virtual golf competition.

The invention provides a system for practising a golf swing, comprising a golf swing analysis device for analysing a golf swing and generating golf swing data. The golf swing analysis device may be any known device, for example an array of sensors co-operating with a golf club, wherein said analysis device may be coupled to a processing device for processing the golf swing data. The generated golf swing data comprise golf swing characteristics like a golf club speed, a golf club angle and a golf club position relative to the ball at impact.

The processing device is configured to simulate an effect of a golf swing on a virtual golf ball in a virtual golf environment. The system may be coupled to a network of golf practising and gaming systems, which network further comprises a website and a database coupled to said website for storing at least golf swing data from respective golf practising and gaming systems forming part of the network. The database may comprise a ranking of golf swing data for setting up a competition.

The system further comprises an electronic key device for identifying a player, and for providing the player access to at least part of said system. The key may be an electronic key, comprising an identification code stored on an electronic device. Besides the identification code, a password may be required. Access to the system is then given only after a player has entered a password to the system that corresponds to the identification code of the key.

Furthermore, use of the system is permitted only against a payment, for example an amount of money related to an amount of time. To facilitate an easy way of payment for the use of the system, the invention provides the possibility to store credit amount data on the key device, wherein said credit amount may be increased or decreased. Increasing the credit amount may for example be done by a user by making a payment at a venue point configured thereto, which amount is subsequently transferred to the credit amount stored on the player's key device, or by transferring a credit amount from a credit card to the key device, or it is done by the system based on golf performance on the system, or at random. Decreasing credit stored on the key is for example done based on time spent by a golf player on the system. In order to permit a player to take his golf swing data along, the key is further configured for storing golf swing data.

The invention will now be described into more detail referring to the following FIG. 1, which shows a schematic overview of a system for golf swing practising and gaming according to the invention.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms program, software application, and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A program, computer program, or software application may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.

FIG. 1 shows a an embodiment 1 of a system for practising a golf swing according to the invention comprises a golf swing analysis device 2 for analysing a golf swing and generating golf swing data.

The analysis device comprises a launch pad containing a ball-tee position and an array of sensors. When a golf ball is hit from this tee, measurements are made of golf swing characteristics such as the club-speed, the club path angle, the club face angle and the position of the club relative to the golf ball at impact.

The analysis device is coupled to a processing device 4 for processing the golf swing data. The processing device 4 processes the measured golf swing characteristics and produces golf swing data. The data are interpreted and predicted ball-flight in terms of direction and distance is simulated and shown on a display device coupled to the processing device. The processing device 4 may be a player's home computer or a device located at a venue location like a sports club or gaming hall. A high power computer system equipped with a 19″ TFT touch-screen that uses transflective technology allowing it to be used in high brightness conditions is preferred.

The processing device 4 provides instant feedback of the measured characteristics whenever a shot is hit, so a golf player may learn what corrections need to be made in order to improve his swing. In an embodiment, a high resolution video camera and capture system are present for use by a teaching professional, who may provide invaluable instruction as to how to interpret the results and to explain what changes to body movement or timing of those movements may be required in order to improve. After such a lesson, the player may continue practice on his own, receiving feedback to prevent slipping back into old habits.

Before a golf player may make use of the system 1, he is required to obtain access to the system 1 for practising a golf swing. The invention therefore comprises an electronic key device 6 for identifying a player, and for giving the player access to said system 1.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic key device 6 is implemented as a secure 128 Mb USB memory device. On the key device 6 access data may be stored, comprising an identification code, which may be factory stored on the key device. Besides the identification code, the access data may comprise a password. Access to the system 1 is then given only when the key device 6 is coupled to a USB port of the processing device 4. Furthermore a player may be asked to enter a password corresponding with the identification code, and said player is required to have sufficient credit on his/her key device amount to make use of the system.

For the purpose of giving the player access the system 1, a secure, encrypted payment system is implemented on the key device 6, enabling the key device to store a credit amount. Credit amount data on the key device may be increased by making a payment at a venue point configured thereto, which payment amount is subsequently added to the credit amount stored on the key device, or by transferring a credit amount from a credit card to the key device via a website 8 of a credit card organisation 10 configured thereto, or via a system for practising a golf swing located at a venue location. In general the key device is pre-loaded with a credit amount at purchase. Thereupon the credit amount is decreased by the system based on a time of use of the system, generally a fixed price per amount of time spent will be determined.

A golf player is identified to the system 1 by the access data stored on the key device. Part of the access data, may—by user agreement—be stored secured on the key device. This would allow for automatic connection to the system 1 by running software on the processing device 4 after connecting the key device 6 to said processing device 4.

Besides providing access, the key device is also configured for storing golf swing data on the key device 6. This golf swing data may comprise at least one of the golf swing characteristics like a golf club speed, a golf club angle or a golf club position relative to a golf ball at impact.

Furthermore transaction data of sessions that have taken place on a system for practising a golf swing may be stored on the key device 6, as well as data related to a player's golf scores.

In another embodiment, the system is configured to be coupled to a website 12, via the internet 14, said website comprising a database 16 associated therewith for storing at least a copy of part of the data stored on the key device 6, for example transaction data of sessions that have taken place on a system for practising a golf swing or a player's golf scores.

Whenever a key device 6 is coupled to a processing device 4 and a golf player has obtained access to the system 1, a display device coupled to the processing device 4 will show relevant details of the data on the key device and software running on the processing device 4 will provide the golf player with a set of options that the user may interact with. A listing of at least part of said options is given in the following.

A first mode may be a driving range practice, wherein characteristics of a golf swing are comprised in golf swing data, which data are stored on the key device 6.

A second mode may be a 9 or 18 holes course competition with a plurality of players, whereby a golf swing is made and simulated ball flight is displayed on a virtual golf course by a display device. Again characteristics of a golf swing are stored on the key device.

A third mode may be a 18 hole qualification round. After playing a qualification round a golf score may be copied to a ranking list in the database 16. At the end of a golf season, the best-qualified players will be invited to take place in a tournament on a real golf course for prizes like a holiday.

A fourth mode may be a hole-in-one contest allowing players to be rewarded with a prize. A credit amount is deducted from a golf player's key device 6 credit amount while playing in this mode. The prize may at least be part of the progressive addition of an amount collected from every player using this mode. For the purpose of the hole-in-one contest, a virtual tee box and a plurality of virtual greens with different difficulties are presented by the processing device. On virtual each green, flags are present with indications, for example a colour indicating a level of difficulty. There may be blue, red, and gold flags, wherein a successful hole-in-one on a blue flag is rewarded with a credit amount added to the credit amount stored on a player's key device, a successful hole-in-one on a red flag is rewarded with bonus-points added to a player's key device, which bonus-points may accumulate through a season for being redeemed on a tournament day at the end of a season for a variety of good-quality golf related products, while a successful hole-in-one on a golden flag may be rewarded with an entry to a hole-in-one jackpot competition to be held at a tournament day at the end of a season. The jackpot competition prize may represent at least part of the progressive addition of the extra charge collected from every player using this mode. Each hole-in-one success at a golden flag success during a season will qualify a player to try three shots on a particular hole at said tournament day. Any successful hole-in-one will share the Jackpot prize. If no player is successful on the tournament day all players who hit a hole-in-one at a golden flag will share the prize.

A fifth mode may be a video lesson mode, wherein a teaching professional is allowed to assist in the player's training by providing a video camera and capture facility so that a golf player may review and store his swing in digital video format on his key device 6. 

1. A golf practising and gaming system, comprising: a golf swing analysis device configured for analysing a golf swing and generating golf swing data comprising at least characteristics of said golf swing; an electronic key device for accessing said system on the basis of access data and credit amount data stored on the key device; and wherein the key is further configured for storing at least a part of the golf swing data.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the golf swing data relate to at least one of: a golf club speed; a golf club angle; a golf club position relative to a golf ball at impact.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to at least one of the group of: increasing the credit amount by making a payment at a location configured thereto, which payment is subsequently added to the stored credit amount; increasing the credit amount by transferring credit from a credit card to the key device; increasing the credit amount based on golf performance; increasing the credit amount at random; decreasing the credit amount based on a time of use of the system.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the key device is further configured to store transaction data of practising or gaming sessions performed on said system.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the key device is further configured to store golf score data.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to, before storing, encrypt at least one of: access data; credit amount data; golf swing data; transaction data; golf score data.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the golf swing analysis device is coupled to a processing device for simulating an effect of a golf swing on a virtual golf ball in a virtual golf environment based on the golf swing data.
 8. The system of claim 1, configured to be coupled to a website, said website comprising a database associated therewith for storing at least golf score data.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the database comprises a ranking of golf score data for setting up a competition.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the competition is a hole-in-one competition, wherein the golf score data comprise data regarding hole-in-one scores.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the competition is a jackpot competition, wherein a prize amount of said jackpot is at least partly a credit amount deducted from a key device.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein at least part of the competition is a real-life golf competition.
 13. Electronic key device for accessing at least part of a golf practising and gaming system on the basis of access data and a credit amount stored on said key device, wherein said key device is further configured for storing golf swing data.
 14. The key device of claim 1, wherein the golf swing data comprise at least one of: a golf club speed; a golf club angle; or a golf club position relative to a golf ball at impact.
 15. The key device of claim 1, wherein the device is implemented on a USB memory device. 